SECURITY MEN SHOOT ITSEKIRI PROTESTERS

2008-11-03

Warri-pandemonium broke out yesterday in the oil-rich Ugborodo community in Warri South-West local government area of Delta state as men of the Joint task force (JTF) attached to the operational headquarters of Chevron Nigeria limited in Ugborodo, Escravous, shot at protesting Itsekiri men and women, who had peacefully matched to Chevron Tank farm in the area to protest what they described as marginalization of workers into the Escravous Gas to Liquid (EGTL) project.

As a result of the shoot-at sight order issued to the security operatives in the tank-farm, a number of protesters received various degrees of injuries with Miss Toju Akitikori, Mr John Aribo, Mr. Anthony Mene and Mr. James Arubi in critical condition. They had all been rushed to a Warri hospital for prompt medical attentions.

In a press statement issued to newsmen as a result of the incident, public relations officer (PRO) of the Ugborodo community Tryst (UCT), Mr. Ayiri Emami, called on the security agents to order so as to forestall confrontation with youths of the area, who were agitated by the incident.

The UCT image-maker: “this is getting too much. The protesters had gone there in the most peaceful manner ever. They have the right to protest against their marginalization in terms of employment into the EGTL project. Bulk of Chevron’s oil is drilled from the area, yet people from other parts of the country get all the employment in the company.”
The Vice-Chairman of UCT, Mr Isaac Botosan, also stated that peaceful protests, all over the world, is a civilized means of expressing one’s grievances over an unacceptable situation.